Shipwash charged with having weapon on campus

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has charged Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court Brian Shipwash with possessing an airsoft gun on the campus of the Charlotte School of Law.

BY DARRICK IGNASIAKThe Dispatch

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has charged Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court Brian Shipwash with possessing an airsoft gun on the campus of the Charlotte School of Law.Shipwash, 41, was served with a misdemeanor criminal summons for the charge of weapons on campus/educational property. The Davidson County Sheriff's Office served the criminal summons to the clerk Tuesday on behalf of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.Officer C.J. Pierce of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police alleges Shipwash brought the airsoft gun on the property of the Charlotte School of Law on Feb. 1.Airsoft guns are spring-powered and are single-shot devices that launch plastic pellets. They are commonly sold at stores, such as Walmart, other retail establishments and sporting goods stores."I have served the judicial system for 14 years, and I have a great deal of confidence in the judicial system," Shipwash said Thursday as he responded to the charge. "I am optimistic that this will be handled appropriately by all involved. I look forward to talking more about this issue once it is resolved."With the case pending, Shipwash declined to comment on specifics regarding the matter, including why he had the airsoft gun on the campus and how authorities discovered he had it.Shipwash has been enrolled at the Charlotte School of Law since August 2012 as he pursues a law degree. He said the institution has not reprimanded him after the incident."Once the truth about this incident comes out, people will be able to understand," Shipwash said.William T. Harper, director of security for the Charlotte School of Law, declined to comment on the case and deferred questions to an institution communication specialist. That spokesman was not immediately available for comment late Thursday afternoon.A spokesman for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department did not return a request for comment from The Dispatch.Shipwash is scheduled to appear in court March 27.Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or at darrick.ignasiak@the-dispatch.com.